Scanned PDF vs Digital PDF: What's the Difference?
A scanned PDF is a picture of a page; a digital PDF contains real text. Learn how to tell them apart and why i...
Read guide →PDF to PDF/A
Converts to PDF/A-2, the ISO standard for long-term archiving (embeds fonts, removes non-archival features). Best-effort conversion — for formal compliance certification, verify with a dedicated PDF/A validator afterward.
Free to useNo software to install — works in any modern browser.
No signup neededOpen the tool and start straight away.
Files deleted automaticallyUsed only to make your result. The result is deleted when you download it, or automatically after about an hour.
Works on mobileSame tool on your phone, tablet or desktop.
How it works
- Upload — select or drag & drop your file.
- Process — choose any options and start; most files take a few seconds, large files, OCR and video can take a minute or two.
- Download — save the result; it is deleted from the server once downloaded (or after about an hour).
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About PDF to PDF/A
PDF/A is a specialized version of the PDF format designed for long-term digital archiving — it embeds all the fonts, colors, and content needed to guarantee the document will display identically decades from now, regardless of what software is used to open it. This is often a specific requirement for legal filings, government submissions, or institutional record-keeping.
Converting to PDF/A doesn't change how your document visually looks — the content stays exactly the same. What changes is the internal file structure, making it self-contained and future-proof in a way a standard PDF isn't guaranteed to be.
Converting to PDF/A doesn't change how your document visually looks — the content stays exactly the same. What changes is the internal file structure, making it self-contained and future-proof in a way a standard PDF isn't guaranteed to be.
PDF to PDF/A guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PDF/A and why would I need it?
PDF/A is a long-term archival format designed to stay viewable for decades — often required for legal or government submissions.
Will my document look any different?
No, the visual content stays the same; PDF/A mainly changes the internal file structure.
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